Idle Jeep Wrangler while towing?

[ezgoin]

Morning everyone,

I have a question? Is it OK to let a Jeep Wrangler idle while hooked up to MH for towing?

The reason I asked is my battery was dead after towing for 2 days. Fuses checked out OK so not sure if issue was new install of Stay-in-Play brake system or if battery was just old (5 yrs old). I had to replace battery and I don’t want to buy another new battery when I drive back 2 days (if the problem is brake controller).

So i thought I’d see about idling while at rest stops on the way home as a precaution.

Thanks
Ezgoin

[rexlion]

ezgoin wrote:
This is my 2nd Stay-in-Play. Just had the new one installed this summer. Didn’t have a battery issue with the 1st one, so already have a charge line installed. I was concerned maybe the installer made a wiring issue. I’m hoping it was just time for the 4 1/2 year old battery to give out.
When I unhooked the toad, it started up and we drove it a couple hundred yards to our site, but it was dead the next morning. So, hopefully, it had received enough charge through the MH before dying overnight.

I like the idea of a volt meter that plugs into a 12V outlet in the Jeep. Where do you get those?

Ezgoin

Amazon, search for ‘voltage tester lighter plug’ and a bunch will come up.

[ezgoin]

This is my 2nd Stay-in-Play. Just had the new one installed this summer. Didn’t have a battery issue with the 1st one, so already have a charge line installed. I was concerned maybe the installer made a wiring issue. I’m hoping it was just time for the 4 1/2 year old battery to give out.
When I unhooked the toad, it started up and we drove it a couple hundred yards to our site, but it was dead the next morning. So, hopefully, it had received enough charge through the MH before dying overnight.

I like the idea of a volt meter that plugs into a 12V outlet in the Jeep. Where do you get those?

Ezgoin

[dodge_guy]

My buddy has a Focus that needs the battery disconnected for towing. However his Brake Buddy requires power from the cigarette lighter to operate and keep the internal battery charged. So we ran the charge wire into the car and installed a power outlet powered from the MH through the charge line. This let's him disconnect the battery for towing and still keep the Brake Buddy powered up when towing!

[wildtoad]

Look into changing your braking system so you don’t need any power at the Jeep while towing. We can remove the key to the Jeep, thus no power drain at all.

[Lwiddis]

Five years on a car battery is excellent! Buy a new battery.

[rexlion]

Use a voltmeter to check your Jeep’s voltage at each stop for at least the first day. That should tell you if it is being drained enough to matter. If not, don’t worry about idling it.

I have a meter that plugs into the cigarette lighter. Easier than raising the hood.

[sch911]

Put in a charge line from the MH. You shouldn't have to run it at all with that installed.

[Horsedoc]

I don't know if it is recommended or not but I do know that I accidently left ours running all the way from Hiawassee, Ga to Athens, Ga. Got interrupted by some long winded guy as we were getting ready to leave and just forgot it. With the engine running for a couple or three hours I was worried but nothing noticeable found. The Brake buddy sure did stop quick several times. Lucky I had put the transfer case in neutral I guess.

[BruceMc]

The Stay-in-play does draw power from the toad's battery. Barring a dying battery (which is entirely possible), the question is: Are you getting power on your charge line from the MH to the toad?

If you are having issues keeping the battery up, then I'd say yes - idle the jeep while at rest stops, just to top it up. As I stated - the Stay-in-play does use the toad's battery, so if the battery is dying/dead, then you'll have little to no supplemental brakes.

It certainly is a good idea to put a new battery in the jeep anyway.

[time2roll]

Do you have a charge line from the RV? Get your voltmeter out and check that voltage is getting to the Jeep battery.

[jdc1]

Arizona? 5 year battery life is GREAT for Arizona. 120* heat KILLS batteries. Time for a trip to Costco or Sam's Club to buy a new battery.

[dodge_guy]

No need for all that excessive idle time. 5 years is max for a wet cell battery. As long as there is nothing on there should be no draw. You don’t leave the key on while towing do you? There is no column lock so leaving the key on isn’t necessary.
You could always run a charge wire from the MH 7-way to the vehicle connector and then to the battery.